They say politics is showbusiness for ugly people; well it’s certainly showbusiness these days.

Now you see them, now you don’t, as a series of erstwhile bill toppers leave the stage, some voluntarily, some before the they get hooked off by the new impresario on the block.

Meanwhile the audience looks on in bemusement as civil war breaks out in the UK government, whilst the Scottish variety reels after more close encounters with the plod.

One way and another, it seems as if the political silly season has arrived two months early, with its very own ‘end of the peers show’ as some of the former Prime Minister’s favoured few are culled from his resignation “honours” list.

For my money the whole practice of former PMs being able to ennoble folks whose primary contribution to the public good has been keeping their boss in a job is a custom which should be chucked in the dustbin of history.

The bloated House of Lords already has north of 800 inhabitants, well too many for the red benches, but that doesn’t much matter as so many of them only pop in to collect their daily allowance or make sundry use of the club’s subsidised eating and drinking facilities.

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Once upon a time, people were “elevated” to this House when they had a proven track record of service and wisdom in their chosen field.

Now, too often, it’s just a retirement gig for former MP’s and lackeys for whom their parties have no further use.

Meanwhile the 92 hereditaries who survived the supposed reforms all those years ago, if they can be bothered to turn up at all, find it a grand spot for an afternoon nap.

The House of Lords can still serve as backstop when governments try to push through dodgy legislation, but these days the current Commons administration increasingly just deploys a “statutory instrument” – which is parliamentary speak for making sure that rank and file MPs don’t even get a chance for a debate.

Plus, whilst the Lords can huff and puff all they like, they can’t thwart the government of the day since they are merely an unelected advisory body. Off with their heads, say I.